[Ultra Sonic 007]

Usually, the only time I've seen a "voluntary" HOA is when the homeowners of a particular subdivision or development in a rural area combine resources to collectively maintain a private road or water/sewage services (especially if they're tied to a group well or septic systems).

In a rural area, this sort of "voluntary HOA" doesn't go as far as having CC&Rs filed for recording.

[tired&retired]

If the restri tions and requirements were not put in the original deed, they can yell all they want.

Our HA tried to vote mandatory membership and that’s when I left.

After many thousands of $$$ in attorney’s fees, they explained that they could only enforce their rules against members who voluntarily joined.

Thus, I quit. So did my neighbor and he was their inspector/enforcer.